By Lex Harvey, Gawon Bae, CNN
(CNN) — The joint military drills between the US and South Korea have been cut in half at Washington’s request, Seoul’s military chiefs said Wednesday, days after US President Donald Trump called for their reduction, citing his close relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise, which began on Monday, was due to run for 10 days, but will now end on Friday August 21, according South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of staff.
“South Korea and the US have decided to partially adjust the exercise period and size at the request of the US,” the joint chiefs said in a statement.
CNN has reached out to the Pentagon for comment.
The revised end date comes after Trump said Sunday that he had asked Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to reduce the military exercises with South Korea, a key regional ally, citing his positive relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Seoul’s lack of assistance with Iran.
The US and South Korea frequently hold joint military drills and South Korea hosts the largest US military installation overseas, Camp Humphreys –– home to tens of thousands of American service members, their families and Korean nationals.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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